Newly elected NH lawmaker resigns

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A newly elected Nashua Democrat has resigned her seat in the New Hampshire Legislature after media reports about a prior felony conviction raised questions about her legal right to serve.

Stacie Laughton, who claims to be the first transgendered person elected to a state legislature, submitted her resignation to the Secretary of State's office Thursday. She was elected Nov. 6, but recently the Laconia Daily Sun reported Laughton was convicted of a felony while living as a man in Laconia.

Felons can vote and hold office in New Hampshire if the sentence has been discharged. Laughton had not finished paying restitution and was under suspension, which led to questions about whether her sentence had been discharged.